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One of the benefits of living in Pennsylvania is that I don’t have to pay sales tax on clothing. Unfortunately, not every state is the same. However, once a year a handful of states offer a sales tax holiday or tax-free shopping to help families save a little bit with back-to-school expenses. Best of all, while many of these holidays nix the sales tax on clothing, the states also waive sales tax on other back-to-school supplies, such as backpacks and books.

This year in August, you’ll find 16 states offering a sales tax holiday. Twelve of those tax-free shopping days occur within the first weekend of the month—many kicking off this Friday, August 2nd.

Here I’ve listed those states in alphabetical order, along with the date of the sales tax holiday, and the details of the items you can purchase—and for how much—in order to save. It’s important to note that not every sales tax holiday spans the same period. For example, while Alabama, Arkansas, and Iowa all offer tax-free shopping the first weekend of August, Alabama’s runs August 2nd through 4th (Friday through Sunday) while Arkansas’ goes August 3rd and 4th only (Saturday and Sunday), and Iowa’s tax holiday is August 2nd and 3rd only (Friday and Saturday).

Alabama – August 2-4, 2013: You’ll save yourself from paying sales tax when you spend up to $100 on clothing (that’s per article of clothing), $750 on computers (gaming systems don’t count), $50 on school supplies, and $30 on books. Not all municipalities in Alabama are participating in this sales tax holiday, so be sure to check the Alabama Department of Revenue’s website first before you hit the stores.

Arkansas – August 3-4, 2013: According to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the sales tax holidays cover clothing and footwear that cost $100 or less per item, and clothing accessories that cost less than $50 each. There doesn’t seem to be a spending limit on school supplies (including art supplies), or on the teaching instructional materials that are all also exempt from sales tax during this period.

Connecticut – August 18-24, 2013: Connecticut’s sales tax holiday, which falls in the latter half of the month and spans nearly a week, covers two items—clothing and footwear costing $300 or less. Good to know, even if you’re not a kid going back to school! Get more details on the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services website.

Florida – August 2-4, 2013: You’ll avoid paying sales tax in Florida if you buy clothing, footwear, and certain accessories that cost $75 or less, particular school supplies selling for $15 or less per item, and personal computers and specific computer accessories selling for $750 or less per item. The Florida Department of Revenue website includes a list of all of these tax-exempt items.

Georgia – August 9-10, 2013: Georgia’s sales tax holiday covers clothing and footwear costing $100 or less (accessories do not count), computers and computer-related items with a price tag of $1,000 or less—though computer bags and cases will be taxed—and school supplies priced at $20 or less. Books are not considered to be school supplies and therefore will be taxed. The Georgia Department of Revenue does a good job of spelling out what does and does not qualify for the tax holiday.

Iowa – August 2-3, 2013: Iowa’s sales tax holiday is pretty straightforward—any article of clothing or footwear costing $100 or less is tax-exempt. Get more details from the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Louisiana – August 2-3, 2013: Nearly everything for sale in Louisiana, except for vehicles, falls under the Louisiana sales tax holiday, during which purchases up to $2,500 are exempt from the state’s four percent sales tax. So everyone benefits from this tax holiday, not just those shopping for back to school.

Maryland – August 11-17, 2013:The Maryland Taxes website has an alphabetical list of clothing and footwear priced $100 and under that’s tax-exempt, and other items that might fall into that price range but which will still be taxed. For example, scout uniforms are exempt, but sports helmets and other equipment are not. So be sure to check the site before you make your shopping list.

Missouri – August 2-4, 2013: Before you jump in your car to get your tax-free shopping on, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website to find the cities, counties, and districts that have elected not to participate in this year’s tax-free shopping holiday—because you won’t want to do your shopping there. Of those locales that are participating, here’s what you can expect: your purchases of clothing with a taxable value of $100 or less, school supplies adding up to $50 total, computer software valued at $350 or less, and personal computers and peripheral devices that are priced $3,500 or less, will all be tax free.

New Mexico – August 2-4, 2013: The New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax Holiday—hey, that’s what the state calls it—covers clothing and footwear costing $100 or less per item, desktop, laptop, tablets, or notebook computers costing no more than $1,000, computer-related hardware priced $500 and under, and “school supplies for use in standard, general-education classrooms” (so says the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department) must cost less than $30 to be exempt from the state sales tax.

North Carolina – August 2-4, 2013: According to the North Carolina Department of Revenue, the following can be purchased tax-free during this shopping holiday: “Clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item, computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item.” That’s cool that the state includes sports equipment. As the mother of two athletes, I would want to be able to save on those items as well during a tax-free shopping holiday.

Oklahoma – August 2-4, 2013: You can expect to save paying taxes on clothing and footwear costing $100 or less only during Oklahoma’s Sales Tax Holiday.

South Carolina – August 2-4, 2013: South Carolina doesn’t put a price limit on the five categories of items that fall under its sales-tax holiday umbrella. So shop away for clothing, footwear, computers, school supplies, and, get this, soft-line items for your home—towels, sheets, and bedding, among other items. You can get the complete list from the South Carolina Department of Revenue.

Tennessee – August 2-4, 2013: Tennessee shoppers will be saved from paying tax during this holiday if they buy clothing priced at $100 or less, school supplies that cost no more than $100 each, and computers costing $1,500 or less.

Texas – August 9-11, 2013: One hundred dollars seems to be the magic number during Texas’ sales tax holiday. That is, if you buy clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks each priced under $100, you won’t pay sales tax.

Virginia – August 2-4, 2013: Virginians can avoid paying the state’s five percent sales tax if they go shopping during this holiday “period” and purchase school supplies priced at $20 or less, and clothing and footwear costing $100 or less. Get a complete list of what’s covered on the Virginia Department of Taxation website.

If you’re buying school supplies for a college student, keep in mind that you may be able to write those expenses off on your 2013 tax return if you qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit—one of the tax benefits of being a parent I covered in a story on Suddenly Frugal this past spring.

Leah Ingram is the author of 14 books, including two on frugal living: Suddenly Frugal: How to Live Happier and Healthier on Less (Adams Media, 2010) and Toss, Keep, Sell: The Suddenly Frugal Guide to Getting Organized and Making Money from Your Stuff (Adams Media, 2010). She is also the founder of the popular frugal-living blog called Suddenly Frugal. Each week she’ll be covering different money-saving ideas, including freebies and frugality. If you have an idea, let her know. In the meantime, follow her on Twitter @suddenlyfrugal and “Like” Suddenly Frugal on Facebook.